Planning Commission Considers Zoning Amendments & Townhomes
The Planning Commission will review two proposals at its meeting on Monday, February 10, at 6:30 PM. The public will have an opportunity to provide input on both matters.
Cusic Properties Rezoning Request
County GIS map showing land use of Cusic Properties.
Cusic Properties LC is requesting a split-zoning amendment to reclassify a portion of its property in Hollywood from Rural Preservation District to Rural Commercial Limited. Originally scheduled for January 27, the hearing was postponed at the request of the applicant’s attorney, Chris Longmore, to ensure "the full board" could review the proposal. Although two regular members were absent, an alternate member filled in, bringing the board's total to six. The continuance was granted by unanimous consent.
Click here for more about the Cusic property.
Pembrooke Townhomes Development
The commission will also review a concept site plan for Pembrooke Townhomes, a 140-unit development off Willows Road. The project, located between the existing Pembrooke subdivision and Abberly Farms apartments, spans nearly 28 acres owned by Pembrooke LLC and is being developed by DR Horton, a home builder based in Edgewater.
The construction timeline is set for two years, with plans detailing:
22-foot-wide end units with two-car driveways
20-foot-wide interior units with single-car driveways
Community amenities including walking trails, picnic areas, a playground, a dog park, and a village green/multi-purpose field
Concept plan overlaid on Google Maps (1), Artists rendering of Pembrooke Townhomes (2)
The development is projected to generate approximately 820 additional daily vehicle trips. However, traffic studies indicate that nearby intersections—Willows Rd at Willows Dr, Meadow Creek Dr, and Colby Dr—will continue to operate at an “A” level of service.
Regarding schools, the project is expected to add:
30 elementary school students
15 middle school students
22 high school students
According to Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM), school capacity is evaluated on a countywide basis.
A parking justification letter is required to reduce landscaping and green space requirements for the applicant. Soltesz Engineering submitted a letter on January 30, noting that county zoning ordinances require two parking spaces per dwelling unit, totaling 280 spaces for this development.
The current plan exceeds that requirement, proposing 332 total spaces, allocated as follows:
End units: One garage + two driveway spaces
Interior units: One garage + one driveway space
However, under zoning regulations, additional parking spaces trigger increased landscaping requirements—over 10,000 square feet of additional green space in this case. If the justification letter is approved, the developer will be exempt from providing that extra landscaping.
Public hearings are February 10th, at 6:30PM at 41770 Baldridge St in Leonardtown. Comments can be emailed to: brandy.glenn@stmaryscountymd.gov
Click here to view meeting documents for the February 10th meeting.
